What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you think about organizing your garage? Is it overwhelming? Do you get a heavy heart and feel slightly anxious? Remember there is light at the end of the tunnel. Just like taking out the trash or cleaning your shower, sometimes a big project like garage organization seems scary because it’s just so big and taking so long, but if you get started now, we promise that soon enough you will have an organized garage .
1. Figure out what you need to store
The most common problem in many garages is a lack of organization. You can start by figuring out what you need to store, and then create a plan for organizing it.
Once you know what you have (or want to have), start with the basics: one or more worktables, shelving and cabinets. The worktable can be as simple as a sturdy door mounted on sawhorses or a custom-built workbench. Be sure to allow for ample workspace when laying out your components, including about 36 inches in front of the table for chairs or stools.
Shelves come in all sizes, shapes and materials and can be fixed or mobile; simple boards on sawhorses are an inexpensive solution. Be sure to locate shelves where they’re easy to reach from both sides.
Cabinets are another option for storing tools and supplies, especially if you prefer them out of sight.
2. Take into account your vehicles and bikes
If you’re lucky enough to have a garage, chances are it’s probably filled with boxes of Christmas decorations, the lawnmower and other tools. But what about your car?
The best way to organize your garage is to determine how you plan on using it. For example, if you are going to use your garage as a workshop, you will need space for all of your tools and equipment. You will also need a space for your vehicles. Picking the right type of flooring can help keep messes at bay since some types of flooring are easier to clean than others. If you park your cars in the garage, use floor mats that catch oil drips and spills.
You can also maximize space by hanging bikes and other sports equipment from the walls or ceiling. You can also install shelving units or cabinets along the wall to store items like boxes, tools or cleaning supplies out of sight.
If your garage has appliances like a fridge, you have to think of how they’ll fit together with your car. And if you require a Winnipeg fridge repair for your garage, you should call profixit today.
3. Total up the square feet of your storage spaces
Your storage needs depend on the type of garage you have. If you have a detached garage, your car is parked outside, so you don’t need to build shelves to store it. If your garage is attached, or if you don’t have a garage at all, then your car takes up space that could be used for other things.
The total square footage of your storage spaces in an attached garage should be no less than what you need to store your cars. For instance, if you are parking two cars in a two-car garage and want to leave room for traffic lanes, consider building shelves along one wall of the garage that will hold the equivalent of one car’s worth of storage.
If you’re lucky enough to have a two-car or larger garage, then there’s plenty of space for large storage needs such as seasonal items and lawn equipment. In this case, work out how much storage you’ll need based on the size and number of items that need to be stored.
For example, if you use lawn mowers for multiple properties and want access to them year-round, consider building shelves along one wall of the garage that will hold the equivalent of two cars’ worth of storage.
5. Put a fridge in the garage
When you’re in the middle of moving, it seems like a good idea to put all your stuff in one place so you can sort through it. But then that place becomes your garage. And then you have a problem.
Luckily, there’s an easy way to organize your garage and save space in your house at the same time: put a fridge out there.
Why put a fridge in the garage?
Refrigerators and appliances in general take up a lot of space — about 8 cubic feet if you go by Energy Star standards. That’s how much space two people need if they live together, plus room for food and stuff they own. It’s also about one quarter of the typical Canadian garage.
If you have extra room in your garage and not enough in your house, it’s easy to see why putting a fridge out there makes sense.